Sandy Mcrae Burnett Sr.

Sandy McRae Burnett, Sr., age 79, of Columbia, Tennessee, passed away August 29th, 2019 at NHC Columbia.

He was born on March 27, 1940, in Clanton, Alabama, to Leonard L. and Sylvia Edwards Burnett. He was of the Church of Christ faith. Mr. Burnett attended Jones Valley High School in Birmingham, Alabama where he was named All-County in baseball and football. He was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals organization and was named MVP in the 1959 East/West All-Star Game, earning a trip to the Sugar Bowl. He played pro farm league baseball for the Kansas City Athletics organization. He attended the University of Alabama, majoring in Accounting. In 1970, he moved his young family to Columbia, Tennessee to take a job with the railroad as a railway mechanic, and retired from CSX Transportation in 2002 after 33 years of service. He would go fishing whenever and wherever he could cast a line or get a bite. He also loved bowling on several leagues locally. For those who knew him best, will remember his overindulgence in the fruit food group. He grew up with Chilton County peaches nearby, and his love of peaches and strawberries always persisted. He would make special trips to get his hands on fresh fruit and produce, and shared it with many. To say he loved fruit was truly an understatement.

Sandy is survived by his daughter: Jill (Randy) Gaddes; son: Sandy (Cathy) Burnett, Jr.; grandchildren: Sandy Burnett, III; Rebecca Burnett, Lily Gaddes and Landon Gaddes; 3 great-grandchildren; brother: Roy (Dot) Burnett; and mother of his children: Minnie J. Burnett. He was preceded in death by his parents; his son: Bryan Lynn Burnett; and his sister: June Dennis.

Funeral services for Sandy will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 31, 2019, in the Chapel of Williams Funeral Home in Columbia with Andrew Phillips officiating. Burial will follow at Polk Memorial Gardens. The family will visit with friends on Friday, August 30, 2019, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., also at the funeral home.

Pallbearers will be: Mike Chandler, Eric Preveti, Ray Woody, Sean Cothron, Randy Gaddes, and Scott Pope.

Honorary pallbearers are Sandy’s Fishing Buddies, Bowling Association friends, former co-workers of CSX Transportation, The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Local Lodge 7 Union.

Special Thanks to Dr. Douglas Kennedy, Dr. Janice Vinson, Dr. Ben Gardner, the Caregivers of Morning Pointe of Columbia, NHC Columbia, Hospice Compassus, and Cynthia Shelton, his special sitter.

Williams Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements. Condolences may be offered online at www.williamsfh@gmail.com " title="Click to open in a new window or tab" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener"> www.williamsfh@gmail.com .